Malaysia calls for Myanmar truce extension, pushes for peace deal

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia on May 25 called for the extension and expansion of a post-earthquake ceasefire in Myanmar due to run out at the end of May, despite ongoing fighting calling into question its effectiveness.

The ruling military junta initially declared a truce in the many-sided civil war after a huge quake in late March killed nearly 3,800 and left tens of thousands homeless.

That agreement, which has been extended before, is due to expire at the end of May – though conflict monitors say fighting and junta airstrikes have continued throughout.